BMW 2 Series 2014 review

The BMW 1 Series, while a very good car is, ugly. Criminally ugly. It's ugly at a molecular level. Which, given the close relationship between the old hatch and coupe, was cause for enormous disquiet among BMW fans.

Thankfully, not only is the visual relationship between the two model lines broken, the coupe has a new name, the 2 Series, to go with the new look. And that new look is rather fetching.

VALUE

The 220i is the entry-level model for the booted two-door. Starting at $51,000, or about $15,000 more than a 116i, it's powered by BMW's in-just-about-everything-it-makes 2.0-litre turbo. The range goes on via the diesel 220d ($53,000), the petrol 228i ($64,400) and the rip-snorting M235i ($79,930). A convertible is on the way.

Being an entry-level model, the spec-list is reasonable but there is plenty of scope for optional extras. Standard are 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, cruise control, keyless entry and start, heated rear-vision mirrors, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and USB, sat-nav, leather steering wheel with paddles, sports seats and synthetic leather.

Our car had the Advanced Parking Package ($1400) which adds parking assistance (helps find a spot big enough), front parking sensors and rear-view camera; Visibility Package ($2500) which adds adaptive bi-xenons, auto high beam and anti-dazzle rear vision mirrors; Comfort Package ($2400) contributed electric seat adjustment and heating for front seats and memory seats tied to the key.

An additional $1692 added the surprisingly attractive red leather upholstery, $1192 for 18-inch double spoke alloys, $400 interior lights package, $2000 for the sunroof and a cheeky $1142 for metallic paint. A few more cosmetic additions inside and out added another $981. All up the price landed at $64,307.

If you had to choose from one option pack, take the bi-xenon lights, they're brilliant. Automatic transmission is standard but you can choose a six-speed manual as a no-cost option.

DESIGN

The 2 Series is identifiably a BMW but bears little relation to its platform donor, the 1. The 2 sports slimmer headlights, a lower stance and three fewer doors. The hatchback is replaced with a stubby boot and taillights that draw a clear link to the old 1 Series Coupe.

Inside, for front seat passengers, it's pretty much the 1 Series. Rear passengers lose some headroom and there's only room for two, the middle seat flung in favour of a little oddments tray.

The 2 shares the strange screen that looks removable but isn't, sticking out of the dashboard above the air vents like a toddler's tongue.

BMW's iDrive controls the functions of stereo and sat-nav displayed on the 6.5-inch dash mounted screen.

The stereo has six speakers and is perfectly adequate if not particularly powerful but the sat-nav is top-notch - easy to use and accurate.

The Sport Line is one of two packages available, which means a lower ride and different detailing such as matte black window surrounds.

Four adults can fit with reasonable comfort, but rear passengers will want to be short or the trip kept short. Front seat passengers have plenty of room and headroom, even with the sunroof.

It's also a bit of a head-turner if you like that sort of thing. 

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

The 2.0 litre twin-scroll turbo produces 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is helped along by the ZF eight-speed also found in many BMWs, stop-start and regenerative braking function.

BMW claims 6.0L100km which is never going to happen, but if you left the car in Eco Pro mode, you'd get within twenty percent of that figure but not have very much fun doing it.

SAFETY

Six airbags, ABS, traction and stability control and corner braking control adds up to five stars for the 1 Series but there's not yet a specific rating for the 2.

DRIVING

Despite the Sport in the name, this is a very comfortable car, almost a cruiser. The ride is supple yet still BMW-taut, with a strong engine and well-engineered feel.

The steering is light and well-geared, ensuring the 220i is never nervous or climbing all over poorly surfaced roads. It feels much like the hatchback on which it's based, but with a bit of an edge in Sport trim.

It's very agreeable in traffic, the stop-start waking quickly and without jerking if you're quickly on to the throttle. The brakes feel good with no sign of interference from the admittedly mild energy recovery gear.

Put the boot in and the free-spinning engine and transmission combination responds almost instantly, even when in Eco mode. In Sport or Sport+, the steering weights up and the throttle response and transmission shifts both get a whole lot more assertive.

It's fun in a competent rather than wowee kind of way, but that's what the M Sport pack is for. Or the M235i.